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Augusta of Denmark

Kolding, 18 Apr 1580 – Husum, 1639

11 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 18 Apr 1580

    Born in Kolding

  2. 1597–1603

    2 children are born

  3. 1639

    Dies in Husum

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 2

During her lifetime

She lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Kolding.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1580s · Augusta is born in Kolding

In the news1580–1581

Spanish Pip epidemic kills many

An infectious disease known locally as the Spanish Pip caused high mortality across the Nordic region, including killing a third of the population on Nordstrand.

Getting around

Carriages replaced horseback for travel

In the 16th century, horse-drawn carriages became increasingly common for transporting people, replacing the earlier custom where both men and women typically traveled on horseback.

In the news1583–1585

Deadly epidemic hits Copenhagen

A severe typhus-like epidemic hit Copenhagen in 1583, leading to an average of 46 deaths per day in August.

Daily life

Lighting homes with pine splinters

In many households, people used resinous pine splinters called "stikved" for light, which could even be held in the mouth to keep both hands free while working. Ordinary people often relied solely on the glow from the open hearth after dark.

What people wore

Clothing as economic currency for artisans

Artisan families in towns like Elsinore used clothing as economic currency that could be turned into cash, and inventories show that garments were personal assets of significant value.

Music

Noble Dances and Festive Performances

Dancing was a central part of nobility education, featuring the stately pavane, the cheerful chain-dance called bransle, and the gaillarde, an improvised leaping dance in 6/8 time. In 1577, a popular "fool's dance" was performed at the Copenhagen Castle courtyard for the King and his guests.

At the table

Kale sustained families through winter

Kale was a vital vitamin source for ordinary people because it was the only vegetable that could survive outdoors all winter. Consequently, home gardens were often referred to as kale-yards.